Direction signal



De.23, 1941. WYOUNG' 2,267,067

I DIRECTION SIGNAL Filed Now 13, 1939 2 sheets-sheet 1 Dee, 23, 1941. w. YOUNG DIRECTION SIGNA;J

Filed Nov. 13, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I I I I I I I I I INVENTOR *ATTORNEYS @fg Q19 Patented Dec. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application November 1s, 1939, serial No. 304,248

2 Claims. (Cl. 177-327) This invention relates to a direction signal and has for an object to provide a day and night signalling device for all types of motor vehicles to indicate the drivers intention to turn.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which in one form of the invention provides a casing having three compartments, two of which each house telescopically assembled pointers each simulating a hand, both pointers of one compartment indicating a right turn and both pointers of the other compartment indicating a left turn, one of the pointers in each compartment being adapted to be illuminated for use in night travel, the third compartment being a central compartment which houses the. cables for actuating the pointers.

A further object of the invention is to provide telescopically assembled pointers mounted on a common pivot and adapted to be moved as a unit, or one alone moved, and including an outer pointer of opaque material and an inner pointer having a signal lamp, both pointers being moved as a unit to display the opaque pointer during day travel, and the inner signal light displaying pointer being moved alone for night travel.

A further object is to provide pointers which are counterbalanced to automatically return to housed position within the casing when the actuating cables are slackened off after each signalling operation. Y

A further object is to provide a device of this character having novel switchV means combined with the actuating cables and disposed so as to be easily operated by the driver to simultaneously operate the pointers and the signal bulbs of the night driving pointers.

A further object is to provide apparatus of this character which will be formedof a few strong simple and durable parts, which will be inexpensive to manufacture, and which will not easily get out of order.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, it being understood that various modifications may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of direction signal apparatus constructed in accordance with one form of the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the signal casing shown in Figure 1 Awith parts broken away to show the day and night telescoped pointers, and showing the electrical connections of the night pointers.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevation of the casing showing one of the doors through which a respective pointermay be extended to the horizontal beyond the casing. f

' Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of av modified form of the invention, showing a single pointer in the casing for ,each'intended turn.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional View of the form of the invention shown in Figure 4, showing the rightl pointer in operative position for indicating a turn.

Figure 6'is a `fragmentary view showing the actuating mechanism for operating the modied form of thejinvention, in right hand turn signalling positior'nas shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 isa cross sectional view of the modified form of the invention showing the left hand turn signalling pointer in operative position.

Figure 8 is a detailed sectional View of the actuating apparatus of the modified form of the invention to actuate the pointer to position shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a detailed sectional view showing the actuating levers and switch assembly of the form of the invention shown in Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a detailed sectional view of part of the actuating lever and switch assembly taken on the line lil-I0 of Figure 1. n

Figure '111 is a fragmentary rear elevation of a motor vehicle showing y the direction signal mounted on the top thereof, the signalbeing vof the double type. f

Figure 12 is a fragmentary rear elevation of a motor vehicle showing the direction signalsA mounted thereon, of the single type.

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view of the manually controlled switch 'for controlling the night circuits of the single type form of the invention'. Figure 14 is a front elevation of the reflector and signal bulb of the night driving pointer.

Figure 15 is a detailed sectional view showing the spline forV connecting the illuminated and opaque pointers as a unit to the pivot shaft, or

for connecting only the illuminated pointer to the v the operative Y compartment for the actuating mechanism, and outer compartments for signal pointers.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 there are two nested pointers I2 and I3 in each compartment, for respectively day and night driving, the pointers of one compartment pointing to the right when operated, and the pointers of the other compartment pointing to the left when operated.

The pointers are in the shape of a hand and the outermost `of the nested pointers is opaque for day driving, while the innermost is provided with glass panes I4 in the sides, reflectors I 5 back of the panes, and a signal bulb I6 carried by a socket I'l in the reflector as best shown -in Figure 14. Both nested pointers are mounted on a respective pivot shaft IB which is "journaled at the ends in the wall of the casing inone' of the partitions. Both nested pointers are oiset outwardly on the shaft I8 from the vertical rnedianf line of? the pointers, as best shown in Figure 1, Kso that the pointers have the greater part oftheir weight in rear of the shaft to prevent the pointers accidentally fallingyoutwardly to signalling position.

As `best shown in .Figure a spline I9 is mounted in the shaft and is provided with a stem which terminates in a. button 2l exposed exteriorly 'of the casing to lbe pushed inward by the'driverr to' connect the vnight `.driving vpointer I3 individually with the '.shaft, -or lto be pulled outwardly .by the' driver `to connect both pointers for mnvement `as a unit with the shaft. The purpnse vof this is to permit the opaque pointer, with the illuminated pointer locked as .a unit therein, being .moved `to the horizontal through a respective doorx22 formed in the end wall of the 'leasing to day` signalling position, and to permit the illuminated painter alone to be moved to .signalling position at znight, while the opaque remains .hous'edjn the casing.

The door 22 iis-provided with a 4spring 23v on its hinge pintle24, `the spring ,being` tensioned when-the vriooris vpushed open ,by the pointer to return fthev .door to closed v,position :when vthe pointer is withdrawnjnto the .casing after each signalling operation. Y

fThe night :driving po-inter I3 in -each compartment is provided at the bottom with a substantiallyf-cylindrical -counterbalancing `,weight 25 which is rbolted as shown at V2.6 4in Figure A2 to the bottom of the pointer-below the pivot shaft I8. The weight is ,provided witha circumferential recess .'26 to ,receive-the bearing 21 of Athe pointerv in which bearing the pvotvshavft I3 is loosely received. When the pointers are both coupled to the Vshaft to move as aunit the counterbalancing weight`25 returnsboth pointers to concealed position within-the casingafter each actuation. When .the inner pointer is uncoupled'frcm the-outer pointer for night'.v driving by partition and is directed through the part of the Vehicle 33 on which the signal casing is mounted and suitably conducted to actuating means 1ocated on the vehicle dash 34, later described in detail. A helical spring 35 is connected at one end to the vehicle by a connector 36 and at the other end is connected to the actuating cable 32 by a clip 31.

When the actuating cable is pulled the shaft 5 will be rotated to move the link 29 and turn the pointers if coupled together, or the inner pointer if uncoupled, to signalling position, at the same time tensioning the spring 35. When the cable is slackened oif by the actuating means the springY 35 contracts and slackens oi the cord between it and the crank arm 3l of the shaft 5 so that the counterbalancing weight may return the pointer to normal position within the casing.

Each actuating cable 32 is connected to a respective'crank arm 38 carried by the upper end of the .shaft 39,4 bestv shown in Figure .9, Awhich shaft. is'journaled at the ends ina tube-40 which opens through' and lis .connectedxto the .dashf34- by a tubular bracket 4l., 'best shown .in Figure l. The shaft is'housed. in la tubular house 42 L carried. loytheadash and `projects .from the outer .end from the.Y house where ,it is. equipped with a bell crank .leverlll.3:. A pair ofcrossedzlinks 44` conneet zheendsofthe .bellpcrank 'lever with .the crankcfarm.-:3. Thelower ends of the crank arms are s .provided .vvithi long'itudinalxslots 45' which rpivotallly and v,slidably receive respective pivotxzpins inwhehconnect thelinks to :the crafnk larmsli. Ahandle lever'lil is connected to-the'bell crank 'lever' 43.

When the handle lever. is moved in one.direc. tion one -of the links` will slide on itsfpivotpin 46 while the .other link .willi pulLonits. pivot pin and turn'fthe :respective crank `arm to .pull on the respectivecable .and .actuate the respective k.pointers. Whenithehandle-lever is turned in the opposite ldirectionithe -other Alink will slip on itsl pivotpinand Ithe reverse \of the just described operation l takes place. .Thusfthe pointers are cperated-to :indicate a right `or. 'leftnturn since.

one .of the actuating .cables lis connected to the rligl'i't turn indicating pointers and. the `other -is connectedfto' vthe left Vturn indicating `pointers in the signal casing.

Switch means for controlling the illumination of Athevnig-ht--driving Vpointers is associated with the-shaft@ and comprises-a stationarydisk.

of insulated :material mounted axially on -the' shaft -ouitside-.of the-tube-Ill).A A pair .of leaf spring contacts `49 are fixed to "the-upper surface of the disk and are connected to respective `conductors 15B fof-a zcable 5I which s-trained :through the fbottom Vof Ithe casing 'to permit the conduc-v Angular'guides 'fifi4 are secured' tothe crank l arms 38 and engage -underneath the disk 118 4to guide movement of Athecrank arms on the disk and assure good wiping engagement of the crank arm contacts 52 with the stationary disk contacts 49.

A lamp 56', best shown in Figures 1 vand 2, is mounted on top of the casing Il! as lbest shown in Figure 2 and is connected to the source of electricity by a conductor 51. A manually controlled switch 5 controls ilow of current from the source of electricity to the lamp. This lamp may be lit at all times at night if desired.

The form of the invention just described is adapted to be mounted on the roof of a vehicle as shown in Figure 11, and for this purpose the casing lil is hinged at the bottom to a pivot pin 58 carried by hinge ears 59, Figure 2, which are mounted on the vehicle. 'Ihis hinge permits the casing l0 being adjusted to extend vertically and to accomplish this adjustment an adjusting screw 6G is loosely secured to a bracket Si which is mounted on the vehicle. The adjusting screw is xed tothe bottom of the casing at the opposite end thereof from the pivot pin 58 and nuts 4 on the screw may be turned upwardly or downwardly to level the lamp casing I0,

In some cases it may be necessary to mount the pointers so that the right hand pointers may project from the rear of the vehicle at the right hand side thereof and the left hand pointers may project from the rear of the vehicle at the left hand side, as best shown in Figure 12. To accomplish this individual casings for the pointers are shown at 62 in Figures 4, 5, and 7. In these :figures the pointers are identically the same as described for each compartment of the casing l0 and it is not thought they need further description. Each casing is mounted on a respective bracket 63 which may be secured to the rear wall 64 of the vehicle or any other portion of the rear of the vehicle.

'Ihe actuating means for the pointers in each casing are constructed identically the same as described in connection with the partitioned casing and these, as well as the pointers, have been given identical numbers. In this modified form of the invention instead of placing the lamp on top of the casing as shown in Figure 1, the lamp is placed on one side of the casing, as shown at 54 in Figures 5 and '7. This necessitates a somewhat different wiring scheme as indicated in Figure 13 in which the conductors 65 to the lamps are connected to stationary switch contacts 6E. The movable contact 61 carried by the switch handle 68 has wiping engagement with these stationary contacts to selectively energize either the right or the left lamp and the movable contact 61 is connected by a conductor 69 to the source of electricity.

In operation when the driver intends to make a turn, he swings the bell crank lever handle 41 in a direction to pull the cable corresponding to a desired pointer. In the case of night driving he will close the manual switch 55, and prior to this will disconnect the night driving pointer from the day driving pointer by manipulating the button 2|. When the handle 4l is then swung to direction indicating position the signal lamps of the night driving pointer will be energized.

With respect to the utility oi the v opaque pointer masking the illuminated pointer for day driving it will be pointed out that this device is more particularly designed for trucks of the interstate freight duty type which travel kcontinuously with a change of drivers atl predetermined points. The masking pointer conceals the illuminated pointer even if the switch is inadvertently left en to make sure that no unauthorized lights are displayed in states where there are ordinances against daytime display of lights.

From the above description it is thought that the construction and operation of the invention will be fully understood without further explanation.

What is claimed is:

l. In a direction indicator, a casing, a pair of telescopically assembled pointers mounted on a common pivot in the casing, the outer pointer being opaque, the inner pointer being transparent, a counterbalancing weight assembled with the pointers for normally holding the pointers in vertical released position in the casing, means for selectively swinging both pointers as a unit to horizontal signalling position beyond the casing for day driving or swinging the innermost pointer alone to signalling position while the outermost pointer remains housed in the casing, a signal circuit for illuminating the innermost pointer switch contacts in the signal circuit controlled by the pointer swinging means to energize the signal circuit simultaneously with movement of the inner pointer individually to signalling position for night driving, and a main switch in the signal circuit.

2. In a direction indicator, a casing, a pivot shaft in the casing, a pair of telescopically assembled pointers having bearings receiving the pivot shaft, a manually operable spline carried by the pivot shaft and adapted to lock both pointers for movement as a unit or to unlock the innermost pointer for movement alone while the outermost pointer remains stationary in the casing, means for swinging the pointers from vertical released position in the casing to horizontal 

